Proteins journey-from marine to freshwater ecosystem: blood plasma proteomic profiles of pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Walbaum, 1792 during spawning migration.

The pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) is a commercial anadromous fish species of the family Salmonidae. This species has a 2-year life cycle that distinguishes it from other salmonids. It includes the spawning migration from marine to freshwater environments, accompanied by significant physiological and biochemical adaptive changes in the body. This study reveals and describes variability in the blood plasma proteomes of female and male pink salmon collected from three biotopes-marine, estuarine and riverine-that the fish pass through in spawning migration. Identification and comparative analysis of blood plasma protein profiles were performed using proteomics and bioinformatic approaches. The blood proteomes of female and male spawners collected from different biotopes were qualitatively and quantitatively distinguished. Females differed primarily in proteins associated with reproductive system development (certain vitellogenin and choriogenin), lipid transport (fatty acid binding protein) and energy production (fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase), and males in proteins involved in blood coagulation (fibrinogen), immune response (lectins) and reproductive processes (vitellogenin). Differentially expressed sex-specific proteins were implicated in proteolysis (aminopeptidases), platelet activation (ß- and γ-chain fibrinogen), cell growth and differentiation (a protein containing the TGF_BETA_2 domain) and lipid transport processes (vitellogenin and apolipoprotein). The results are of both fundamental and practical importance, adding to existing knowledge of the biochemical adaptations to spawning of pink salmon, a representative of economically important migratory fish species.

Does Methyl Jasmonate Effectively Protect Plants under Heavy Metal Contamination? Fatty Acid Content in Wheat Leaves Exposed to Cadmium with or without Exogenous Methyl Jasmonate Application.

The effect of methyl jasmonate (MJ) (1 µM) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Moskovskaya 39), seedlings and the fatty acid (FA) content of leaves under optimal and cadmium (Cd) (100 µM) stress conditions wasinvestigated. Height and biomass accumulation was studied traditionally; the netphotosynthesis rate (Pn) was studied using a photosynthesis system, FAs'profile-GS-MS. No effect on the height and Pn rate of the MJ pre-treatment wheat at optimum growth conditions was found. MJ pre-treatment led to a decrease in the total amount of saturated (about 11%) and unsaturated (about 17%) identified FAs, except α-linoleic FA (ALA), which is probably associated with its involvement in energy-dependent processes. Under Cd impact, the MJ-treated plants had a higher biomass accumulation and Pn rate compared to untreated seedlings. Both MJ and Cd caused stress-induced elevation of palmitic acid (PA) versus an absence of myristic acid (MA), which is used for elongation. It is suggested that PA participates in alternative adaptation mechanisms (not only as a constituent of the lipid bilayer of biomembrane) of plants under stress. Overall, the dynamics of FAs showed an increase in the saturated FA that is important in the packing of the biomembrane. It is supposed that the positive effect of MJ is associated with lower Cd content in plants and a higher ALA content in leaves.

The Effects of Low-Level Helium-Neon (He-Ne) Laser Irradiation on Lipids and Fatty Acids, and the Activity of Energetic Metabolism Enzymes and Proteome in the Blastula Stage and Underyearlings of the Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar: A Novel Approach in Salmonid Restoration Procedures in the North.

The effect of He-Ne laser irradiation on fishery parameters as well as on biochemical state, including the lipids and fatty acids, the activity of energy metabolism enzymes and the proteome in the blastula stage and in underyearlings of wild Atlantic salmon after irradiation at the cleavage stage/early blastula (considered as the stages when the cell has a high potential for differentiation) was studied. Low mortality rates of eggs were determined during embryogenesis, as well as increased weight gain and lower morality rates of underyearlings in the experimental group. This is confirmed by changes in a number of interrelated indicators of lipid metabolism: a decrease in total lipids content, including diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, cholesterol esters, and the phospholipids content remained unchanged. The embryos in the blastula stage (experimental group) had higher aerobic capacity and an increase in pentose phosphate pathway activity. The proteome profiles of eggs in the blastula stage were 131 proteins, of which 48 were significantly identified. The major protein was found to be phosvitin. The proteomes of underyearlings were represented by 2018 proteins, of which 49 were unique for the control and 39 for the experimental group. He-Ne laser irradiation had a strong effect on the contents of histone proteins.

Susceptibility of polar cod (Boreogadus saida) to a model carcinogen.

Studies that aim to characterise the susceptibility of the ecologically relevant and non-model fish polar cod (Boreogadus saida) to model carcinogens are required. Polar cod were exposed under laboratory conditions for six months to control, 0.03 µg BaP/g fish/week and 0.3 µg BaP/g fish/week dietary benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), a reference carcinogen. The concentrations of the 3-OH-BaP bile metabolite and transcriptional responses of genes involved in DNA adduct recognition (xpc), helicase activity (xpd), DNA repair (xpf, rad51) and tumour suppression (tp53) were assessed after 0, 1, 3 and 6 months of exposure, alongside body condition indexes (gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and condition factor). Micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities in blood and spleen, and liver histopathological endpoints were assessed at the end of the experiment. Fish grew steadily over the whole experiment and no mortality was recorded. The concentrations of 3-OH-BaP increased significantly after 1 month of exposure to the highest BaP concentration and after 6 months of exposure to all BaP concentrations showing the biotransformation of the mother compound. Nevertheless, no significant induction of gene transcripts involved in DNA damage repair or tumour suppression were observed at the selected sampling times. These results together with the absence of chromosomal damage in blood and spleen cells, the subtle increase in nuclear abnormalities observed in spleen cells and the low occurrence of foci of cellular alteration suggested that the exposure was below the threshold of observable effects. Taken together, the results showed that polar cod was not susceptible to carcinogenesis using the BaP exposure regime employed herein.

Into the Deep: New Data on the Lipid and Fatty Acid Profile of Redfish Sebastes mentella Inhabiting Different Depths in the Irminger Sea.

New data on lipid and fatty acid profiles are presented, and the dynamics of the studied components in muscles in the males and females of the beaked redfish, Sebastes mentella, in the depth gradient of the Irminger Sea (North Atlantic) is discussed. The contents of the total lipids (TLs), total phospholipids (PLs), monoacylglycerols (MAGs), diacylglycerols (DAGs), triacylglycerols (TAGs), cholesterol (Chol), Chol esters, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and wax esters were determined by HPTLC; the phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) were determined by HPLC; and fatty acids of total lipids were determined using GC. The Chol esters prevailed in muscles over the storage TAGs, and the wax ester content was high, which is a characteristic trait of vertically migrating species. Specific dynamics in certain PL in redfish were found to be depended on depth, suggesting that PLs are involved in the re-arrangement of the membrane physicochemical state and the maintenance of motor activity under high hydrostatic pressure. The high contents of DHA and EPA were observed in beaked redfish muscles is the species' characteristic trait. The MUFAs in muscles include dietary markers of zooplankton (copepods)-20:1(n-9) and 22:1(n-11), whose content was found to be lower in fish sampled from greater depths.

The Effect of Continuous Light on Growth and Muscle-Specific Gene Expression in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Yearlings.

Photoperiod is associated to phenotypic plasticity of somatic growth in several teleost species, however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are currently unknown. The effect of a continuous lighting (LD 24:0), compared with the usual hatchery lighting (HL) regime, on the growth rate and gene expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs: MyoD1 paralogs, Myf5, and MyoG) myosin heavy chain (MyHC), and MSTN paralogs in the white muscles of hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon yearlings was evaluated over a 6-month period (May to October). The levels of gene expression were determined using real-time PCR. Continuous lighting was shown to have a positive effect on weight gain. MyHC, MyoD1c, MyoD1b, and MSTN1a/b mRNA expression was influenced by the light regime applied. In all the studied groups, a significant positive correlation was observed between the expression levels of MRFs and MSTN paralogs throughout the experiment. The study demonstrated seasonal patterns regarding the simultaneous expression of several MRFs. MyoD1a, MyoG, and MyHC mRNA expression levels were elevated in the mid-October, but MyoD1b/c, and Myf5 mRNA levels decreased by the end of this month. In general, the findings showed that constant lighting affected the regulatory mechanisms of muscle growth processes in salmon.

The Effect of the Photoperiod on the Fatty Acid Profile and Weight in Hatchery-Reared Underyearlings and Yearlings of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar L.

The influence of two light regimes, 16:8 h light/dark (LD 16:8) and 24:0 h light/dark (LD 24:0), in comparison to a usual hatchery light regime (HL), on the fatty acids content and weight gain in hatchery-reared underyearlings (at 0+ age) and yearlings (at 1+ age) of Atlantic salmon in the summer-autumn period was studied. The total lipids were analyzed by Folch method, the lipid classes using HPTLC, and the fatty acids of total lipids using GC. The increase in EPA and DHA observed in October in underyearlings and yearlings salmon (especially under LD 24:0) suggests they were physiologically preparing for overwintering. The changes in fatty acids and their ratios in juvenile Atlantic salmon can be used as biochemical indicators of the degree to which hatchery-reared fish are ready to smoltify. These associated with an increase in marine-type specific DHA and EPA, an increase in the 16:0/18:1(n-9) ratio, in correlation with a reduction in MUFAs (mainly 18:1(n-9)). These biochemical modifications, accompanied by fish weight gain, were more pronounced in October in yearlings exposed to continuous light (LD 24:0). The mortality rate was lower in experimental groups of underyearliings with additional lighting. Exposure to prolonged and continuous light did not affect yearlings mortality rate.

Tiny but Fatty: Lipids and Fatty Acids in the Daubed Shanny (Leptoclinus Maculatus), a Small Fish in Svalbard Waters.

The seasonal dynamic of lipids and their fatty acid constituents in the lipid sac and muscles of pelagic postlarval Leptoclinus maculatus, an ecologically important fish species in the Arctic food nets, in Kongsfjord, Svalbard waters was studied. The determination of the qualitative and quantitative content of the total lipids (TLs), total phospholipids (PLs), triacylglycerols (TAGs), cholesterol (Chol), cholesterol esters (Chol esters) and wax esters was analyzed by TLC, the phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and sphingomyelin (SM) were determined by HPLC, and fatty acids of total lipids using GC. The lipid sac is a system of cavities filled with lipids, and it is not directly connected to organs of the digestive system. The wall's inner layer is a multinuclear symplast that has a trophic function. The results provide additional knowledge on the role of lipids in the biochemical and physiological adaptation of fish to specific environments and clarify the relationship between fatty acids and the food specialization of postlarvae. Analysis of the fatty acid (FA) profile of TLs in the muscles and lipid sac of daubed shanny pelagic postlarvae showed it to be tissue- and organ-specific, and tightly associated with seasonal variations of environmental factors (temperature conditions and trophic resources).

Estimation of antimicrobial activities and fatty acid composition of actinobacteria isolated from water surface of underground lakes from Badzheyskaya and Okhotnichya caves in Siberia.

Extreme and unusual ecosystems such as isolated ancient caves are considered as potential tools for the discovery of novel natural products with biological activities. Actinobacteria that inhabit these unusual ecosystems are examined as a promising source for the development of new drugs. In this study we focused on the preliminary estimation of fatty acid composition and antibacterial properties of culturable actinobacteria isolated from water surface of underground lakes located in Badzheyskaya and Okhotnichya caves in Siberia. Here we present isolation of 17 strains of actinobacteria that belong to the Streptomyces, Nocardia and Nocardiopsis genera. Using assays for antibacterial and antifungal activities, we found that a number of strains belonging to the genus Streptomyces isolated from Badzheyskaya cave demonstrated inhibition activity against bacteria and fungi. It was shown that representatives of the genera Nocardia and Nocardiopsis isolated from Okhotnichya cave did not demonstrate any tested antibiotic properties. However, despite the lack of antimicrobial and fungicidal activity of Nocardia extracts, those strains are specific in terms of their fatty acid spectrum. When assessing fatty acid profile, we found that polyunsaturated fatty acids were quantitatively dominant in extracts of Nocardia sp. and Streptomyces sp. grown in different media. Saturated fatty acids were the second most abundant type in the fatty acid profile. It was due to palmitic acid. Also, a few monounsaturated fatty acids were detected. The obtained materials can become a basis for development of approaches to use bacteria isolated from caves as a biological sources of bioactive compounds to create medical and veterinary drugs.

Age-Specific Lipid and Fatty Acid Profiles of Atlantic Salmon Juveniles in the Varzuga River.

The age-specific lipid and fatty acid profiles of juvenile Atlantic salmon at different ages (0+, 1+, and 2+ years) after hatching from nests located in the mainstream of a large Arctic River, the Varzuga River, and resettling to the favorable Sobachji shoal in autumn before overwinter are herein presented. The contemporary methods of the lipid analysis were used: thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography. The results show that the stability of the regulation of important functions in developing organisms is maintained through structural alterations in lipids. These alterations can be considered as a sequence of the modifications and changes in the ratios of certain lipid classes and fatty acids constituents. In general, changes in the lipids and fatty acids (FAs) maintained the physiological limits and controls through the adaptive systems of the organism. The mechanisms of juvenile fish biochemical adaptation to the environmental conditions in the studied biotope include the modification of the energy metabolism and anabolism, and here belongs to the energy characteristics of metabolic processes.

Features in the Lipid Status of Two Generations of Fingerlings (0+) of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Inhabiting the Arenga River (Kola Peninsula).

The present research focused on determining the lipid status of salmon fingerlings (0+) in early development after dispersal form groups of spawning nests in biotopes of different hydrological conditions. The revealed qualitative and quantitative differences in the levels of phospholipids and fatty acids among two generations of Atlantic salmon fingerlings (0+) living in different biotopes of the Arenga River (a tributary of the Varzuga River) may be associated with the peculiarities of their genetically determined processes of the biosynthesis and modification of individual lipid classes and trophoecological factors (food spectrum, quality and availability of food objects, and hydrological regime). The research was organized to observe the dynamics of these developmental changes from ages 0+ to 2+.

Metabolic enzymes activity and histomorphology in the liver of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.) and pike (Esox lucius L.) inhabiting a mineral contaminated lake.

The effects of wastewater from a mining and ore-dressing mill on fish in Lake Kostomukshskoe, which is used as a cesspool of circulating water and for storage of industrial wastes produced by the Kostomuksha mining and ore-dressing mill in northwest Russia, were studied. The lake is characterized by heavy mineralization, high pH, elevated levels of K(+), Li(+), SO4 (2-), NO(2-), Cl(-), Li, Mn, and Ni, and the presence of a fine-dispersed mechanical suspension. To assess the impact of contamination on fish and determine the mechanisms of their adaptation, we investigated the biochemical indices and histology of the liver of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.) and pike (Esox lucius L.) inhabiting Lake Kostomukshskoe, downstream Lake Koyvas (64° 47' 30° 59'), and Lake Kamennoe, which is located in a nature preserve and has not been affected by anthropogenic activity (64° 28' 30° 13'). Changes were detected in the activity of metabolic enzymes (cytochrome c oxidase (COX), lactate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) in the liver. Specifically, the COX activity in the liver of both fish species from the contaminated lake decreased, indicating a low level of aerobic metabolism. Lipid infiltration was the most visible and widespread change observed in the liver of both fish species; therefore, it can be considered a marker of such long-term contamination. Lesions in pike liver demonstrated a wider range of severity than in those of whitefish. In summary, metabolic enzyme activity and histomorphology of the liver of whitefish and pike differed among lakes in a species-specific manner. The changes in enzyme activity and histomorphological alterations in fish that were observed can be applied for evaluation of freshwater systems that may be subjected to mineral pollution.

Gender specific reproductive strategies of an arctic key species (Boreogadus saida) and implications of climate change.

The Arctic climate is changing at an unprecedented rate. What consequences this may have on the Arctic marine ecosystem depends to a large degree on how its species will respond both directly to elevated temperatures and more indirectly through ecological interactions. But despite an alarming recent warming of the Arctic with accompanying sea ice loss, reports evaluating ecological impacts of climate change in the Arctic remain sparse. Here, based upon a large-scale field study, we present basic new knowledge regarding the life history traits for one of the most important species in the entire Arctic, the polar cod (Boreogadus saida). Furthermore, by comparing regions of contrasting climatic influence (domains), we present evidence as to how its growth and reproductive success is impaired in the warmer of the two domains. As the future Arctic is predicted to resemble today's Atlantic domains, we forecast changes in growth and life history characteristics of polar cod that will lead to alteration of its role as an Arctic keystone species. This will in turn affect community dynamics and energy transfer in the entire Arctic food chain.

Lipid status of the two high latitude fish species, Leptoclinus maculatus and Lumpenus fabricii.

A comparative study of the lipid status (i.e., the total lipid and phospholipid concentrations and the percentage of fatty acids of the total lipids) of adult specimens of daubed shanny (Leptoclinus maculatus) from Svalbard waters (Isfjord) and slender eel blenny (Lumpenus fabricii) from the White Sea (Onega Bay and Tersky shore) was performed to study the metabolism and functions of lipids of these fishes in ontogeny and under various ecological conditions. Slender eel blenny from both areas of the White Sea were distinguished by a high level of sphingomyelin compared with the daubed shanny from Svalbard, and the amount of total phospholipids was higher in slender eel blenny from Onega Bay than in slender eel blenny from the Tersky shore. The extent of saturation and the signature of polyenic fatty acids varied according to the specific species of the Stichaeidae family under study. These results demonstrate the differences in the trophoecological and hydrobiological conditions of habitations of these species and highlighted the importance of considering certain trends in the lipid profiles of these fishes as specific features of the organization of the ecological and biochemical mechanisms of adaptation.

Oogenesis and lipids in gonad and liver of daubed shanny (Leptoclinus maculatus) females from Svalbard waters.

Oocyte and liver histomorphology of the daubed shanny (Leptoclinus maculatus) from Isfjorden and Kongsfjorden in Svalbard were investigated during three Arctic seasons: summer (July), autumn (October) and winter (April). Three oocyte developmental phases were observed: primary growth phase, secondary growth phase and maturation phase. We observed four different developmental stages: (1) perinucleolus stage with cortical alveolus formation, (2) lipid droplets formation, (3) vitellogenesis stage and (4) maturation. Late maturation stage of oocytes in the ovaries was from the autumn season. Females accumulated lipids in liver (up to 35.2 % dw) and deposited large amounts of lipids into gonads (up to 52.2 % dw) during maturation. Lipid classes in female gonads changed seasonally, with relative increase in cholesterol during summer and depletion of storage lipids (triacylglycerols and wax esters/cholesterol esters) during the winter. Lipid composition in liver changed during oocyte development and spawning, as neutral lipids were transferred to developing oocytes during summer to autumn. During winter, storage lipids were depleted during starvation. Based on the increase in gonadosomatic index (GSI) with length and observed maturation stages, females seem to mature at a length of about 125-130 mm. The GSI and hepatosomatic index of large females sampled in autumn (September-October) were significantly higher than for females in late winter (April) and spring (May). These results indicate that spawning takes place during winter in Isfjorden and that energy reserves stored in the liver are utilized by females during gonadal development and reproduction.